Schooner Creek Boat Works of Portland, Oregon has completed trials of the 61-foot catamaran Kai 'Oli 'Oli, built for a charter service operating out of the new Ko Olina Marina on the west coast of Oahu. This sleek multihull is U.S. Coast Guard-certified to carry 49-passengers up to 100-miles offshore, and displaces only 30,000 lb at light load thanks to its advanced foam-core composite construction. Beam is 23 ft and maximum draft 4 ft 3 in.

The electronic engine control system is an EC251 Express model also by Twin Disc. At 1,500 RPM, cruising speed is 19 knots and fuel consumption 7 g.p.h. Maximum speed at 2,300 RPM is an impressive 30 knots.

Total fuel capacity is 400 gallons carried in two tanks.

Service power is supplied by a Fisher Panda 12 kW generator, which also operates the Maxair 90 air compressor for scuba diving.

The Kai 'Oli 'Oli was built from a custom split-mold made by the builders. The skins of uni-directional fiberglass and vinylester resin were then vacuum-bagged over a 1 inch Klegecell core to produce an extremely strong, lightweight laminate. The entire deck and superstructure is built of the same materials. The bridge deck has a 3 in foam core to resist flexing.

The vessel is finished to a high standard throughout with Awlgrip linear polyurethane paint on all exterior surfaces. All deck fittings and stanchions are polished stainless steel.

Features of the layout include two enclosed head/shower/changing rooms on the aft deck and a retractable boarding ladder at the bow.

There is bench seating for 49 in the salon.

A total of 600 gallons of freshwater can be carried in four tanks, ensuring sufficient capacity for shower use throughout the day. The catamaran is equipped with a full set of navigation and entertainment electronics.

The Kai 'Oli 'Oli was designed by Kurt Hughes of Seattle, an architect who specializes in power and sail catamarans. The craft's regular cruise route follows the Wai'anae coastline, offering snorkel and diving on the coral reefs, and encounters with Hawaiian spinner dolphins and Humpback whales.

Schooner Creek Boat Works has been building lightweight high-performance craft for more than 25 years. Its first Hughes-designed charter cat, the 38 ft Kamanu, was built in 1982. That vessel is still in service year-round on the Kona Coast of Hawaii.